GATHERING STORM

CHAPTER TWO

The two suns of the other world rose slowly, casting a warm, golden light over the red sands. Catriona stood in the courtyard of the fortress, her wooden staff in hand. She had been training for days now, though it felt like weeks. Time moved differently here, and every moment was filled with lessons, drills, and challenges.

Mandalee stood in front of her, her white suit gleaming in the sunlight. “Today, we test your limits,” she said, her voice sharp and commanding. “You’ve learned the basics. Now, it’s time to see if you can apply them.”

Catriona nodded, her grip tightening on the staff. She was tired, but she refused to show it. She had come too far to give up now.

Mandalee led Catriona to a large, circular arena in the center of the courtyard. The ground was covered in fine red sand, and the walls were lined with strange symbols that glowed faintly.

“This is the Trial of Strength,” Mandalee said. “You’ll face an opponent who will test your physical and mental endurance. Remember, strength isn’t just about power. It’s about focus, determination, and strategy.”

Catriona stepped into the arena, her heart pounding. She didn’t know what to expect, but she was ready. Or at least, she hoped she was.

The symbols on the walls began to glow brighter, and the air around her shimmered. A figure appeared in the center of the arena—a tall, muscular man with glowing red eyes and a sword made of shadow.

“Your opponent,” Mandalee said. “Defeat him, and you pass the trial.”

The shadow warrior lunged at Catriona without warning, his sword slicing through the air. She barely had time to raise her staff and block the attack. The force of the impact sent her stumbling back, but she quickly regained her footing.

She swung the staff, channeling her energy into it. The staff glowed green, and a burst of energy shot out, hitting the shadow warrior in the chest. He staggered but didn’t fall.

Catriona gritted her teeth and attacked again, this time aiming for his legs. The staff struck true, and the shadow warrior fell to one knee. She didn’t hesitate. She swung the staff one last time, and the shadow warrior dissolved into nothingness.

Mandalee nodded, though her expression remained stern. “Not bad. But the next trial will be harder.”

The second trial took place in a dark, cavernous room deep within the fortress. The walls were lined with glowing crystals, and the air was cold and damp.

“This is the Trial of Knowledge,” Mandalee said. “You’ll need to solve a series of puzzles to proceed. But be careful—one wrong move, and you’ll fail.”

Catriona stepped into the room, her eyes scanning the crystals. Each one had a symbol carved into it, and she recognized some of them from her studies. She approached the first crystal and placed her hand on it. The symbol glowed, and a riddle appeared in the air in front of her.

“I am not alive, but I grow. I don’t have lungs, but I need air. What am I?”*

Catriona thought for a moment, then smiled. “Fire,” she said.

The crystal glowed brighter, and the door to the next room opened. Catriona stepped through, feeling a sense of accomplishment. But the next puzzle was harder, and the one after that even harder. She had to use all her knowledge and intuition to solve them, but she didn’t give up.

The final trial took place on a high platform overlooking the red sands. The wind was strong, and the ground was slippery. Mandalee stood at the edge of the platform, her arms crossed.

“This is the Trial of Courage,” she said. “You’ll need to cross this platform to reach the other side. But be careful—the wind is strong, and the ground is unstable.”

Catriona stepped onto the platform, her heart pounding. The wind whipped around her, threatening to knock her off balance. She took a deep breath and focused on the other side. She could do this. She had to.

She took a step forward, then another. The platform swayed beneath her feet, but she kept going. The wind grew stronger, and she had to crouch low to keep from being blown off. Her hands gripped the edges of the platform, her knuckles white.

Finally, she reached the other side. She collapsed onto the solid ground, her chest heaving. She had done it. She had passed all three trials.

Mandalee approached her, a rare smile on her face. “You did well,” she said. “But remember, this is only the beginning. The real test is yet to come.”

Catriona nodded, though her body ached and her mind was exhausted. She knew Mandalee was right. The trials had been hard, but they were nothing compared to what lay ahead.

Daelen appeared at the edge of the platform, his expression unreadable. “You’ve proven yourself,” he said. “But don’t let it go to your head. There’s still much to learn.”

Catriona stood, her determination unwavering. “I’m ready,” she said. “Whatever comes next, I’ll face it.”

As the suns set over the other world, Catriona stood on the platform, looking out over the red sands. She thought about Tempestria, about the war and the people she had left behind. She thought about Kullos and his growing army. She knew the storm was still gathering, and she had to be ready.

But for now, she allowed herself a moment of rest. She had passed the trials, and she had proven herself. But she knew this was only the beginning. The real battle was yet to come.